We Were All Wrong

Round 2 of the Stanley Cup playoffs kicked off last night with two absolute bangers. It started with Bob showing up and showing out but, ultimately, falling in overtime to a solid Bruins lineup that didn’t allow frustration dictate the day. That was followed by the first major Tara-saur sighting of the playoffs; two goals for the Rus-ky as Jordan Bennington continued to shut down the haters by beating Bishop, a Vezina finalists. While everyone continues to push forward, I’ve got to add my two-cents to the conversation of, “what the fuck happened?!”

The first round of the playoffs was Gary Bettman’s wet dream. All that man talks about is parody, parody, parody. I wouldn’t be the least bit shocked if it was tattooed on him somewhere. My guess is on his inner thigh, but I digress. With NONE of the 1-seeds making through from the Atlantic, Pacific, Central or Metro, we are faced with the reality of what the NHL has wanted all along; a meaningless regular season. Alright, maybe that’s not the intent, but it definitely should provoke some interesting conversations about the importance of the first 82 vs the race for the Cup. I’ve heard the argument from many, and I believe it to be true, that the regular season is mark of a great team and a Cup is the mark of a hot team. While the Venn diagram definitely has some overlap, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to be both. Though many have come before and many will after, the Tampa Bay Lightning are the most recent example.

By tying the ‘95-’96 Red Wings regular season win total, they cemented themselves in history. Then they proceeded to get dismantled by Columbus in a sweep, also adding to history. This shocking display just reinforces the point that no one knows shit. The NHL had to reopen their stupid Bracket Challenge and allow people to pick anew because of how little the regular season matters. I have yet to read back through my predictions, but I’m pretty sure I got every single series wrong other than the Islanders and Blues advancing. The only place that .250 is good is baseball, and that’s only true because now everyone just wants to hit dingers. I still am ride or die on Vegas and will argue ‘til I die from lack of oxygen that they got jobbed and would have won the Cup, but I was wrong. ‘HOLY SHIT, someone who writes about hockey admitted they were wrong!?!?!!’ Yes, I did. I think we all need to eat some humble pie on this year. I’m humbled to the point that I don’t even really want to pick any of the second round series.

Eh, fuck it. Here we go. In order of confidence:

Islanders over Hurricanes in 6

Blues over Stars in 6

Jackets over Bruins in 6

Sharks over Avalanche in 7

Despite knowing the results of game 1 in both two of the series already (CBJ v BOS and STL v DAL), I still feel like I don’t have any clearer an idea as to what the fuck is going to happen. I’ve officially jumped on to team chaos’ bandwagon. Fuck it, let’s have an Islanders-Av’s Cup Final. That’ll get people freaking out. Also, the hatred for Ottawa would be through the goddamn roof if the Colorado made the Final or won the Cup ON TOP OF drafting in the top 5. I wouldn’t be shocked if Eugne Melnyck and Pierre Dorian received ricin or anthrax in the mail if that happened. Regardless of all that’s happened and all that’s yet to come, we’ve been treated to some great hockey, per usual. When it all comes to an end, I’ll be nothing short of sad and 2019-2020 won’t come soon enough.

Lord (Stanley) Help Me!

Today is the NHL Draft Lottery and though many fans are anxious to find out the fate of their favorite franchises future (God helps us all if Edmonton wins), the rest of the hockey world is focused on the holiest of prizes; Lord Stanley’s Cup. Here with a few thoughts on each series we have me. Starting from the top:

TAMPA v COLUMBUS:

This is the series where my heart and my brain can’t come to an sort of compromise.

Brain: Tampa is the best team since our beloved ‘95-’96 Red Wings. There’s no way they can lose.

Heart: Yeah but Bob is kind of heating up. He could steal a series.

B: Come on now, the guy’s a .891 playoff goalie.

H: Sample size…? Plus, Seth Jones and Zach Werenski are really freakin’ good.

B: I see your Werenski-Jones pairing and raise you a Kucherov.

H: Call; Bread Man.

B: Hedman

H: Dubois

B: Point!

H: … Duchene

B: Stammers. Now can we be done with this pissing match?

H: Fine. Tampa in 6 it is

BOSTON v TORONTO:

This one is quite the match-up. On one hand, Boston hasn’t played at full strength almost all year. On the other, they nearly got beat by a Tavares-Muzzin-less Leafs team last year. Regardless of how you dissect this one, I think pretty much everyone agrees that this one is bound for 7 games of absolute excitement. One of the biggest questions I have is whether or not Charlie Coyle will be a factor. Since being traded to the B’s he’s only registered 6 points in 20 games. That’s not going to cut it if they expect to go goal-for-goal with Toronto. Luckily, Boston has the 3rd best goals allowed average (2.59) in the league to offset some of those bottom-six deficiencies.

For the Leafs, the name of the game, as it’s been all year, is score-score-score. If Freddy Anderson can be average or better I don’t see how Boston advances. Leafs in 7.

WASHINGTON v CAROLINA:

They’ve done it again. The Carolina Hurricanes have made the playoffs. It only took them 10 years but… Oh you were expecting me to say something about Washington and their Metro Division Championship weren’t you? Well there’s that too. This match-up is one of “been there, done that” vs “let’s show ‘em what we’re made of.”

Carolina has definitely turned some heads this year. Between their rough start and Sebastian Aho showing everyone that he is legit AF, this team has certainly got some buzz around them going into this series. Beyond Sea Bass, there aren’t that many gamebreakers to speak of on this roster. Their blue line is really solid and deep but leaves a bit to be desired. I don’t see a world where they’re able to contain Kuznetsov, Backstrom, Oshie and The Great 8 for an entire series.

Let’s not forget that Washington is trotting out Braden Holtby. Though the Hurricanes will be feisty and make a series of it, I have to take the tried and true Caps. Washington in 5.

NEW YORK (I) v PITTSBURGH:

I wrestled long and hard over this one. Everyone always says, “don’t bet against Sid and Gino come playoffs!” And while that may have been the case, there’s something about this years iteration of the Penguins that just seems a little off. I realize that they have struggled to stay healthy all year, but I get a ‘16-’17 ‘Hawks type vibe from this group. Like the magic is gone, or there’s no more tread left on the tire. Pick an analogy. Either way, my gut tells me that a tough Islanders team, playing in Barry Trotz system, backstopped by Robin Lehner will find a way to pot enough goals to move on. Islanders in 7.

CALGARY v COLORADO:

Too deep.

Too tough.

Too good.

That’s exactly why the Flames are the 1st overall seed in the Western Conference this year. Colorado’s first line is definitely going to get theirs but when it’s all said and done they’ll be lucky to muster a single victory away from the best team in Alberta. Flames in 5.

SAN JOSE v VEGAS:

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the Knights. Bringing in Mark Stone put them so over the top that it’s tough to see how the can falter. Calm down Bay Area, your team is really good too. Doug Wilson has done a masterful job of assembling one of the greatest group of skaters in the NHL, though I’m not sure he knows that goalies are a thing. Martin Jones and Aaron Dell haven’t exactly inspired confidence this year and Wilson did little to address this at the deadline. Mostly because he gave away all his first-round picks for Erik Karlsson. Fingers crossed Flower reverts back to a sub .900 playoff guy otherwise, look out Sharks fans. This one could be rough. Vegas in 6.

NASHVILLE v DALLAS:

Let’s give it up for the Jim Lites everyone! Where would the Stars be without him. Probably on the golf course, sipping vodka-sodas I’d imagine.

Seriously though, what Dallas has been able to do this year is pretty fuckin’ awesome. Ben Bishop has returned to form following some recent injury issues over the last couple years and given them a huge shot in the arm. You combine that with a dynamic forward trio (Benn-Seguin-Radulov), a Norris-caliber D-man (Klingberg), and whatever the hell Jim Montgomery is doing and you’ve got a team that looks dangerous heading into this postseason. Though, their competition is no pushover.

Having won five of their last six, Nashville looks like their starting to put things together for the home stretch. Which is what makes this series one of the toughest to call. Of all the series, I see this one as having the highest range of possible outcomes. I’m happy to not be a degenerate gambler because I wouldn’t know where to put my money. But, alas, I have to go with the team that’s proven. Preds in 7.

WINNIPEG v ST LOUIS:

This match up, like the last one, is a total toss up to me. Despite being able to recover from a rocky start, the Blues still have questions surrounding their net-minders going into the playoffs, while Winnipeg just looks less than themselves. If Patrik Laine can get into a groove, it might spell doom for St. Louis, considering how the Jets have been able to get by this year with him posting a career-low in both goals and assists (30-20-50). The forward and defensive groups are a dead heat in my eyes so that means it has to go seven games, right? Flip a coin. Jets in 7.

The Other Otters

It takes hard work, determination, grit, jam, blah blah blah. We’ve all heard the cliches about what it takes from the guys on the ice.

Who puts those guys on the ice together?

Who decides what the right amount of “jam” is for the road to a championship?

It’s management.

You don’t just happen into three Stanley Cups. Stan Bowman has been manipulating and molding Chicago’s roster from the minute he assumed the helm. His first transaction: Chicago acquired a 2011 2nd and 3rd round pick from Toronto for their 2010 2nd. That 2011 2nd that the Hawks received turned into Brandon Saad. Pretty good return for his first trade considering the other two selections (Jared Knight and Michael Paliotta) played a combined total of 2 NHL games in their careers so far.

That’s not to say that every trade Son of Scotty has made was a slam dunk (don’t get triggered Ryan Whitney). This was the man that traded Dustin Byfuglien for a bag of pucks after all. Everyone has at least clunker or two in ‘em. Of those, trading for Dylan Strome is not.

McJesus’ former Erie teammate has burst onto the scene since being reunited with fellow Otter Alex DeBrincat. With 30 points (11 G, 19 A) in 32 games, Strome is showing why he was 3rd overall in the ‘15 NHL Entry Draft. His vision and playmaking skills are off the charts and all the credit goes to Stan. He must have thought, ‘hey, I got this “cat-guy” and he played really well with this “storm” guy in junior so why don’t I trade for him.’

And Goddamnit has it ever.

It’s one thing to buy low on a high potential former first round pick. It’s another to pair them with a former teammate (hell every organization has tried this before). The ultimate is to get that to click and succeed. Stan Bowman isn’t reinventing the wheel here; he simply had faith that past production could be repeated. He was right, and for that, and all the other great maneuvers and championships, Hawks fans should rest easy and let the master deal.